The experience you will have with us will be like no other.

Throughout our website you'll find testimonials from our clients. Join them on their journeys by reading about their unique experiences, then allow us the privilege of creating yours.

"This trip was the most amazing experience of my life. With never being out of the country before, my mind was full of uncertainty and ignorance with a bit of naive anxiety. But, in pure Diana Maiola fashion, her attention to detail was something I put all my trust and faith in. And the experience was nothing short of amazing and incredible. The 18-day journey into my ancestry and religion was overwhelming and forever special. No two places repeated themselves. They were all unique and magnificent. Everything ran smoothly. I wasn't used to such royal treatment. You did all the "thinking" for me. Believe it or not, I was relaxed and confident about what was ahead of me right from the beginning. I had a sense of calmness I would never have felt without the guidance of your team. The drivers and tour guides were all very professional and friendly. But, Roberto in Rome stood above the rest. He was amazing and we were immediately comfortable with him from the first minute and he impressed us with his human character and extreme knowledge of the Roma's antiquity and the Vatican's history. He truly was one of a kind and the best in his field. I can't thank you enough of all the planning and strategy that went into making this the trip I had never experienced before and one that will last in my memory forever. You truly changed my life. My eyes and mind have opened to an understanding of what Italia is all about. The greatest culmination of culture, art, music, religion, food, vino, architecture, and history on the planet.Viva Italia.............................................. Grazie Mille !!!!!!!!!!!!!"-JOE FRAGAPANE, December 2015

"The recent trip to Italy arranged by your office was a truly memorable experience. The highlights were the hotels and their locations it seemed that we were transported to medieval times and yet modern accommodations throughout. I have traveled a lot in my life but nowhere no one ever came close to them. They practically waited on us hand and foot. Again thank you so much for the experience. We did all the itineraries and then some…. Mike discovered family that he thought never had!. And on behalf of my wife Marie and I along with Mike Careccia grazie molto e piu in la ricominciamo a specolare in un’altro viaggetto."-VINCENT BATTISTA

​"My wife and I had the time of our lives visiting Paris, Monte Carlo, Pisa, Florence, Venice, Rome, London, and lots of places in between! Diana and her fabulous team provided us with an awesome itinerary that was tailored made for us, including private tour guides, dinners, private drivers, hotels and flights. ALL arrangements were perfect without exception. Based on what we discussed with Diana on what we wanted to see and do in Europe, we reviewed a menu of fabulous suggestions and options, choosing the ones that interested us the most. It was our 30th Wedding Anniversary celebration and we loved every place we traveled to. Diana has an awesome network of bilingual drivers and private bilingual guides who were just great, with one driver in particular, Beppe, becoming a true friend. The guides and drivers were all very knowledgeable of their city and the historical museums, cathedrals, tours, and wineries that we visited. I can't thank Diana and her team enough for the perfect celebration plans they pulled together for us. These memories will last time, and when we travel back to Europe in the near future, I will definitely give Diana a call to plan the follow-up visit. Thank you for making our trip so special and care free! You OVER delivered on what was already a high expectation. You and your team are the best!!!"~ MARK & BRENDA BALOK

"We had such a great time...thank you. Everything we did exceeded our expectations. We were looking forward to the luxury of having you arrange our agenda and work out all of the logistics. But what we got was so much more! Your knowledge of Italy brought us to places we would not have known to explore (the Blue Grotto, the hills of Capri, the hotel in the Vatican, San Gimignano, a family owned winery in the middle of Tuscany, and all the fine authentic out-of-the-way restaurants...I could go on!). Your staff and partners in Italy were fantastic; friendly, reliable, knowledgeable, funny and interesting. But most of all we enjoyed meeting such a delightful assortment of personalities in our small group...such a fun band of travelers. Finally Diana, traveling with you was perfect; your attention to detail, selection of sights and accommodations, and the itinerary were all just right, each day was full but not overbearing, free time for exploration was always available. It has been our pleasure to get to know you and we look forward to our next trip with you."~ CHRIS & JULIE WILLIAMS

"Hello to you Diana and everyone else involved in putting together this unbelievable tour!! First of all.....THANK YOU. Words cannot begin to express how perfect this trip was. From beginning to end!!! Every train ticket, every pick up time every hotel, every suggestion on where to go and what to do, Beppe and Stefano ...it just all was over the top perfection!! The time with family was obviously the highlight for us. We were brought to tears many, many times and we have a whole new family that we love and will be back to visit again and again. Cinque Terre was beautiful. Rough seas stopped us from taking the ferry up the coast which was a real disappointment (might have to go back just to do that) but we totally understood and took the train. We took the little boat over to the little island for dinner off the coast of Portovenere . Soooo lovely. Had a great day in Portofino and Santa Margarita also. I did not Google any of our hotels or destinations because I did not want any expectations......just surprises and let me tell the biggest surprise was when we got to our wine tasting at the Castle in Tuscany!!! We had no idea how huge HUGE this wine tasting was going to be....when Gino took us into this massive room for a 6 course, sit down meal with 8 different wines we could not believe that we were doing this!!! The beauty of Tuscany,the food, the wine, the people we met from all over the world...word cannot describe the feelings we had that day!!! Thank you so much for sending us there and SEND EVERYONE THERE!! We have told everyone about it!! San Gimignano was perfect for what we needed...a few "down days" to just stay put , eat and drink more, and just unwind and talk about our journey!!Did quite a bit of shopping there! And Venice......I am so glad we ended up staying there for the last 2 days...That hotel was our favorite...the others were just lovely but this was the icing on the cake for coming to the end of our trip. We spent a half a day in San Marco's square listening to the live music, drinking espresso, desserts, wine, and taking it all in. Well, I could go on and on but before I go I must say that the private drivers, water taxis were worth every penny!!! It made us feel like "the rich and famous" and I hope we can always travel that way! Also,, I know you have heard this before but its the truth ...EVERY MEAL, EVERY GLASS OF WINE, EVERY ESPRESSO , WAS BETTER THEN THE ONE BEFORE!!!! I had also told you were weren't big breakfast people and did we have to have the breakfasts at the hotel included......big mistake ....they were all fantastic and we enjoyed every bite. We are so blessed to have crossed paths you Diana and your associates ..... PERFECTION..... "OPEN MY HEART AND YOU WILL SEE, ENGRAVED INSIDE IT...ITALY" Robert Browning" ~ BARB & LARRY SAVOIA

"My husband and I wanted a specialized trip for just the two of us to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, and we chose the Italian Lakes area. Our trip was a dream come true for both of us. All of our drivers drove skillfully and carefully at all times. They were always attentive to our needs. Our tour guides were all very knowledgeable. They were fun and easy to be with....always concerned about our comfort. They too are proud of their Italy, its history and all its beauty. Our schedule gave us time to enjoy Italy thoroughly through all our senses and at our own pace. We chose Italian leisure over US fast pace...the best way to do a vacation. We strolled down ancient streets, climbed up a mountain, stopped for many cappuccinos to watch the world go by....We lingered at meals, to savor each course and be present in the moment and enjoy the beautiful architecture, gardens and lakes around us. Grazie Diana and Francesca for a glorious trip!"~ CHRISTINE & SCOTT URBAN

"Diana you are to be complimented for your personal touch. You and your staff are amazing. From the time we had our first reception at your office, until our safe arrival home, everything ran like clockwork. What an experience of a lifetime. I hope to have the opportunity to travel with you in the future. What wonderful memories I have from my trip to Italy. Being able to visit San Marino where my heritage began was breathtaking. Never did I imagine I would be visiting the beautiful country where my grandparents and Mother first lived. If only we could have done it together. I felt their presence as I toured the region and only could imagine them walking the same streets I did. Our tour along the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Tuscany was wonderful! It is difficult to put into words what I liked the most because I loved it all! Each city had its own majestic draw. Each day was an adventure and an opportunity to get a real "taste" of Italy and its wonderful food and wine. Friendships were formed with the hopes of seeing each other again. What more could we ask for. Thank you again!"

~ DONNA DALFERRO

"Thank you very much for the tremendous planning and suggestions you completed for our family's tour of Italy. It was the best we have experienced. The accommodations, and pick-ups, to the off the road cooking class and the great trattories which we would have never found. We live in Michigan but if we ever plan a trip with our family it is worth a trip to Ohio for you to plan a trip back to Italy." ~ JOHN DI FRANCESCO

"We wanted to thank you very much for the job you did on organizing our trip to Italy. Everyone had a wonderful time! We have so many great memories! The accommodations were comfortable and well located. We especially enjoyed the elegance of our hotel in Lake Maggiore and the quaint Hotel in San Gimignano. The tour guides were all very knowledgeable and friendly. Isola Bella was beautiful. Thank you for the suggestion! The cooking class and wine tastings in Tuscany were fun and memorable. The drivers were friendly and accommodating. Thank you again for all your help. We look forward to planning another trip with you!"

~ CLAUDIA, DELIA & JAN

"We cannot thank you enough for the amazing custom tour you planned for our recent trip to Italy this past June. Everything went perfectly. Because of your incredible attention to detail in planning the trip and your continued contact throughout the tour, we were able to travel the country with ease and peace of mind. That made the trip so enjoyable for us and our four children. Our family has incredible memories of the trip. Every stop was perfectly orchestrated and filled with interesting things to see, do and eat! Your knowledge and suggestions relating to the destinations we visited were totally accurate and complete. The hotels you chose were centrally located with kind and friendly staff. The private tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable and of the highest quality. We were able to enjoy the private tours while still being given time to explore on our own. Our children continually say they wish we were still in Italy. We can’t really chose a favorite spot or site because they all had so many amazing things to offer, but your way of getting us through the country (and countryside)could not have been more ideal. It was truly the trip of a lifetime for our family. We are just sad it is over! Thanks for the time and care you put into making this a lovely event in our lives."~ THE SULLIVAN FAMILY

"For years friends and family members have been urging me to fulfill my dream of visiting Italy. Even my father who had been stationed in Italy during World War II, and had always spoken lovingly about Italy, urged me to visit someday in his place. When I was referred to Italian Tours by Diana six months ago, I visited her office mostly out of curiosity. But after meeting and talking with Diana, it seemed that the upcoming "Genuine Italy Tour" was pretty much what I had in mind. Being single, the last spot left seemed to beckon me. What good fortune all of this was for me! I experienced absolutely nothing that I would change, except to have stayed longer. Diana had pre-planned every conceivable detail, but also included well-timed "down-time" for personal exploration and shopping. Diana was a friend to all of us, going out of her way to assist each of us no matter what the question or problem. Her staff, beginning with the energetic and charming Francesca, and including the site tour guides and even the drivers, were all wonderful. One would be hard pressed to find anyone to remotely compare with Diana's love of Italy, respect for and personal attention to her guests. I will always cherish the experiences and memories of my trip with Diana and my fellow travelers, so much so that I am considering returning to Italy someday, (soon)."

~ GREG HEIM

" I simply cannot put into words how much we enjoyed the trip you planned for us to visit and explore Italy, but I will try my best. From the moment we first spoke I knew that you were the agent for me. I could sense your professionalism and your love and knowledge of Italy. It was just what I needed. Everything that you chose for us from hotel to excursions to drivers was prima classe! I felt like royalty, especially when we were dining in Rome and the waiter came over with phone in hand and said I had a call. The German tourists next to us looked over as if to say "who are these people". It was one of the highlights of our trip that made me laugh. When we said goodbye to the wait staff without paying and simply left a tip, the Germans almost fell off their chair in confusion trying to figure out our status. My personal favorites were the cooking lesson with Katia and the wine tasting with Gino. Two people persons who made us feel at home. Katia is a gem and we were like family when we left, promising to keep in touch. I spoke my bad Italian to her mother and an older Italian woman who was eating in their kitchen and they fell in love with me! They were too cute for words. Roberto in Rome is a gentleman first and foremost. In addition, he is full of knowledge and the sweetest guide. We enjoyed our time with him. Beppe is a real character and acted like a father watching his children when he mapped out our day in Cinque Terre. Last but not least, your friend Vanessa is so sweet and her food was my favorite. Sorrento and all of Amalfi and Capri were simply gorgeous and the hotel with the beach and pool was just what we needed after the touring and running around. All in all it was just a perfect vacation and my family and I are so pleased with the service that we received from your company. I will certainly use your services again and recommend you to my family and friends. I have already given your name to several people who inquired when they saw my daily facebook photos as to who planned this trip of a lifetime for us. So from the Venditti's to you, THANK YOU for making our trip of a lifetime so beautiful and memorable."~ NANCY, STEVE & SAMANTHA VENDITTI

"Italian Tours & Travel by Diana planned an amazing trip for us that we will cherish a lifetime. They were very accommodating by always making sure that we were comfortable at all times. They were very knowledgeable of every city we traveled through Italy and Sicily including the history, the everyday life and the most wonderful restaurants in each town. Diana and Francesca gathered information on our relatives in Caltagirone and planned a meeting at the court house to retrieve our family documents as well as a trip to the Caltagirone Cemetery. They went out of their way to make our trip was very memorable for us. We are very grateful for, we could never have done this on our own. Our trip started in Stresa, Italy we visited the Borromeo Islands, fisherman’s island had open markets, lovely restaurants and ancient cobblestone streets, another island had the Borromeo Palace the most amazing history of paintings, furniture and beautiful chandeliers. The gardens alone were gorgeous with historical statues. We then traveled to Como, a lovely town with shops and restaurants right on the lake where we took a ferry across Lake Como to see beautiful homes built into the hillside. From here we traveled to Alberobello with streets of homes built in cone shapes called Trulli. Then to Matera - this city is surrounded by caves, we stayed in a cave which was unbelievably beautiful, and visited the amazing city with interesting history. Our next site was Tropea known for their famous onions. What a delicious treat! They were divine. The city had shops that led down to the sea which was a beautiful site. We then traveled across the strait of Messina to Sicily, to a resort in Taormina where we stayed in a lovely hotel with beautiful rooms and gardens that overlooked the sea. We walked through streets of wonderful shops of everything imaginable and had a pastry tasting tour; their cannolis are the best I have ever had. We then traveled to the city of Caltagirone, the hometown of my husband’s grandparents, known for ceramics and an amazing staircase of 142 steps of ceramics each step done in a different pattern. We shopped in a ceramic warehouse, visited the home where the grandfather was born, the court house and cemetery. Then we were on to Ortigia/Siracusa where we viewed the ancient Greek archeological ruins, and also did a trip to a chocolate factory. Our voyage continued to the Valley of Temples in Agrigento. Our last stops in Sicily were Palermo and Erice. Located up in the mountains, Erice was such a quaint city of many churches and shops. The streets were made with cobblestone and were quite artistic; we also stopped at a beautiful little pastry shop with lovely delectable pastries. These are just a few highlights of our trip, Diana and Francesca did an outstanding job. Our days were filled with adventure, fine wine and food that you cannot imagine. I can honestly say that we enjoyed every minute of this trip, every restaurant, hotel and tours were all done beautifully."

~ RICHARD AND KATHLEEN BOSCARELLO

"My wife and I were fortunate to hear about a tour to Italy with Diana though mutual friends. At the time, our son was serving in the air force and was stationed in northern Italy. Diana’s tour at the time coincidentally included a few days in the area where our son was stationed. Our initial purpose was to visit our son, however, once with Diana, we soon learned that this was to be a trip of unforeseen experiences and superlative treatment. Everything was first class. From the accommodations, food, itinerary, and services, Diana’s personal touch provided individual accommodations and her expertise provided an Italian experience that was superior in every aspect. Her passion for the culture and her genuine interests in providing an Italy experience that is second to none made the trip with her unforgettable. What was to be our “once in a lifetime trip to Italy” was shortly turned into our planning for the next opportunity to return. We are looking forward to our next tour with Diana, this time in the southern regions and Sicily."

~ KIM & MARTI

"Diana puts her heart and soul into her tours so you, in turn, experience Italy at its best. We spent 12 glorious days with Diana touring Italy. Diana based the majority of the trip on what we told her we wanted to see. There were 5 couples in our group, all long time friends from Cleveland. Diana did a great job of putting the schedule together based on our desires. Our small group had two private buses with excellent drivers and several train trips to reduce driving time. Like a Swiss watch, everything was precisely on time. Diana's choices of private guides in various cities were outstanding. They were true professionals and wonderful human beings. Several highlights of our trip centered around activities Diana wanted us to see. These trips were put into our itinerary before leaving Cleveland. One trip was to a Tuscan winery run by Mario and his family. Outstanding experience! This was out done by visiting Diana's father at his villa where we were treated to dinner, lunch and wonderful conversations based on Italian history and humor. Never have 12 days gone by so quickly with so many varied experiences. Diana was always there making sure we were all together and on schedule. Can't wait to go back!"

~ BETSEY AND GEORGE

"I could spend whole days (and I have!) talking about my Italian Tours by Diana experiences. On the very first night of our first "Trip of a Lifetime" vacation to Italy with Diana, my wife and I knew on the spot, that we had to commit to another trip the very next year. The rest of that first visit proved to us over and over that Diana's tours are dollar for dollar, the best way to not only enjoy a vacation, but to travel abroad, period. I guess if I had to keep it brief, I'd say that we haven't ever gone on a trip with Diana, when we haven't Slept in a Palace, Dined in a Castle, Eaten like a King each day, and Tasted the exquisite Wines of Montalcino or Barolo (or both!) right at the vineyard! Across two trips, we've had personally guided tours of over 19 major cities. We've seen Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Brunelleschi; Venice, Rome, the Cinque Terre, Pompeii and so much more that it couldn't possible be described here. Diana took such good care of our whole group at all times, that we truly felt at home in all of Italy. Our Third trip will be next year, and I know from the last two, that this vacation will truly be The Trip of a Lifetime!"

~ STEVEN KOZLOWSKI

"Your excitement and knowledge for Italy allowed all our senses to fully come alive. From the food and wine we tasted to the beautiful sites we saw. To the smells of the lemon and olive trees to arranging a private cooking class in your hometown. We experienced Italy as it should be experienced. I can "hear" the cheers in the Coliseum. And what a lovely time we had in San Gimignano and San Giuliano, to name a few. Walking the streets of San Giuliano, hanging out in the piazza, Italian karaoke, staying at the agriturismo, attending a true Italian mass, watching people interact, amazing 2-3 hour meals filled with great conversation and especially meeting your family is something I will always cherish. I can still see the rolling hillside in San Gimignano and breathtaking views, not to mention great shopping, in the charming town. I wish I were there right now. And thank you for arranging a private wine tour with owners so welcoming they made it a delightful experience. The views of Sorrento still play in my mind as magical. It was the best hotel with posh rooms and a spectacular view. I still remember the contentment of sitting on my balcony with a glass of wine, eating cheese and prosciutto I purchased earlier from San Giuliano. I was watching the cruise ships move along the peaceful water and it was surreal. You made our experience priceless. Diana, you are by far the most collected, passionate and enchanting tour guide. I look forward to doing this again, very soon."

~ LANA GIANCOLA

"What possessed me to go to La Bella Italia (by myself) with Diana Maiola and Italian Tours By Diana two times? I will tell you. Being able to create new and lasting memories with someone, who for me, is like family. Everyone on the tour clicked, and so it was like being with family members. This type of tour requires someone with a particular personality, and so it is filled with a lot of emotion and the best of the best. On a tour with Diana you are exposed to a little bit of everything from a small village, forgotten in time, to a big, energetic city - you will get a taste of everything. Entrusting Diana with the details of the tour is the best way to go. First of all, Diana is trustworthy, and she has a proven track record. In many places we visited or stayed we felt that we got the V.I.P. treatment, from cooking with her father in their 350 year old villa, we felt like royalty. So, these tours are completely worry free. Her familiarity with Italia is so thorough, I know that we are in good hands experiencing what she has known so well all her life. Diana planned an itinerary that gave us a capsule view of Italy. The majesty of Rome, the art of Florence, and the beauty and history of Medieval towns. I am back home and already missing Italy very much. This was the journey of a lifetime. Diana, your passion for this country was deeply illustrated in all that you did to make this unforgettable. People ask all the time how I enjoyed Italy. What's frustrating is words alone cannot even begin to capture the essence of just how amazing this experience was. However, that's all I can offer unless they too decide to go to Italy with you as their tour guide. You arranged tours to all the known landmarks and were so organized we didn't have to worry about anything. You were prepared yet flexible enough to accommodate our needs. That is not an easy feat with such a diverse group and yet you made it look effortless. You took us to towns we never knew existed which allowed us to fully experience their way of life. Having a private bus for all of our travels and making reservations to museums so we didn't have to stand in line was brilliant. You made us feel comfortable in what might otherwise feel strange for those of us unfamiliar with the area, language and culture. This allowed us to completely relax and enjoy the beauty of Italy. It's like being on a trip with a friend instead of a large commercialized company. If you are ever considering visiting Italy, the right way (hands down!), take a tour with Diana. You will be thankful that you did."

~MARIA GRAZIA LAZZARO

"A recent trip to Italy with Diana was one I will always remember fondly. The small group allowed us flexibility to stop at points of interest. Because Diana has a good working relationship with the tour guides and restaurant owners we were treated like family - the highest compliment in Italy. Accommodations were excellent."~ MAUREEN MANCUSO, 2006

"Our vacation to Italy with Italian Tours by Diana was truly everything we hoped for and more. Diana's love and passion for the country is expressed in her attention to details so that all you have to do is enjoy yourself. We felt like part of her family and at every hotel or restaurant we went to, the staff knew that Diana had high standards for how her group was to be treated. A romantic at heart, Diana has a sincere concern that each member of the tour is happy with the itinerary and this is discussed individually and at group meetings. As we look back at all the beautiful, historic, and stunning places we experienced (often with an expert guide), it was organized so well we never felt rushed or over scheduled ! Our favorite memory is when Diana chartered three boats to take the group along the coast of italy to the island of Capri. Along the way we had lunch on the boat, swam in the Mediterranean Sea, visited the Blue Grotto, and toured the island. This trip by far exceeded our expectations and we are ready to plan our next "Trip of a Lifetime" with Diana."

~TONY & DIANE DELIBERATO

"We wanted to take the time to write to you about the fantastic time we had in Italy. You made the entire process carefree for us due to your professionalism and knowledge. Our friends listen with envy as we describe the places we visited, hotels we stayed at, and the restaurants we experienced. We k﻿now that our lifelong memories would not have been possible without you and your company, Italian Tours by Diana. You made changes in the itinerary to suit our nee﻿ds (even on short notice!) and really listened to what interested us. Your ability to seamlessly guide us through Italy made it feel like we were ﻿just ﻿a group of friends enjoying the days instead of being "on a tour". We are forever grateful for making Italy our best trip ever, but most of all, your friendship."~ MARIE SAUL & MIKE CANNON

"We had a wonderful time! All of your restaurant recommendations were excellent! Our favorite stay was in San Gimignano. So relaxing and peaceful, just as you described. Both tour guides were excellent. Kind, polite, and extremely knowledgeable in their fields. Nothing but high praise for both of them. We have been, and will continue to recommend your agency to friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Thank you again for helping us with our trip of a lifetime."~GEORGE & PATTY KALAN, 2013

"Our trip to Italy was absolutely wonderful! Your knowledge, organization and detailed planning were the keys to our perfect vacation. Our travels from family in Northern Italy to Southern Italy gave us the opportunity to enjoy the historic and scenic sights of this beautiful country. Your selection of hotels, restaurants, guides and drivers enhanced the smoothness of our trip! The personal touches along the way were memorable such as your beautiful basket of wine and fruit. We will always cherish these memories and look forward to adding more in the future!~ LINO & JEANNETTE DEANNA, 2012

You planned the most wonderful trip for us. It was pure heaven. Thank YOU so much for making our anniversary trip so special. We tell people it was pure perfection. Every detail.